Podcasts > On Purpose with Jay Shetty > Taylor Hill: How to Navigate Emotional Challenges & Ways to Practice Gratitude in Lifes’ Unexpected Hard Times

Taylor Hill: How to Navigate Emotional Challenges & Ways to Practice Gratitude in Lifes’ Unexpected Hard Times

By iHeartPodcasts

In this episode of On Purpose with Jay Shetty, Taylor Hill opens up about her journey navigating challenges and loss. From a young age, her discipline and dedication to athletics honed a strong work ethic that served her well in the demanding world of modeling. Hill shares the profound grief of losing her beloved dog, whom she considered her emotional anchor, highlighting the complex and personal nature of healing.

This conversation delves into Hill's quest to turn her pain into purpose by creating Tate and Taylor, a pet brand fostering community, resources, and support for pet owners. With a vision to honor her companion's memory, Hill aims to empower others by addressing pet ownership's complexities.

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Taylor Hill: How to Navigate Emotional Challenges & Ways to Practice Gratitude in Lifes’ Unexpected Hard Times

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Taylor Hill: How to Navigate Emotional Challenges & Ways to Practice Gratitude in Lifes’ Unexpected Hard Times

1-Page Summary

Taylor's Early Life and Passion for Athletics

From a young age, Taylor Hill's childhood athletic pursuits like gymnastics, ballet, and snowboarding instilled a strong work ethic that carried through to her modeling career. Her mother nurtured Taylor's dedication despite her skills not reaching the elite level. Taylor's earliest memory, becoming emotional over blowing out birthday candles at age three, showcased her sensitivity - a defining trait. Striving for a "perfect 10" in gymnastics taught Taylor to pursue excellence while accepting imperfection.

The Demands of Modeling

At 14, Taylor was scouted and thrust into the fast-paced modeling world, juggling school with commitments like fashion weeks. She ultimately left high school for her GED to pursue modeling full-time. Experiences like booking the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at 18 were exhilarating yet daunting, as Taylor had to adapt to intense physical and emotional demands. She reflects on the complexity of maintaining the brand's strict body standards through disciplined diets and workouts.

Grief and Healing After Losing Her "Soulmate"

Taylor shares the profound grief of losing her beloved dog Tate, whom she considered her "soulmate" and source of unwavering emotional support, even through a previous miscarriage. While some were dismissive of her grief over "just a dog", Taylor stresses the need for greater empathy, as navigating loss is an individualized, complex journey without a set timeline. She's candid about eventually considering starting a family again despite fears from past losses.

Turning Grief into Purpose with Tate and Taylor

Inspired by her challenges caring for Tate during his illness, Taylor created Tate and Taylor - a pet brand providing resources, community connections, and contributions to causes like the Buddy Fund subsidizing pet cancer treatments. She envisions Tate and Taylor honoring Tate's memory by empowering owners to navigate the complexities of pet ownership and loss. Taylor aims to spotlight entrepreneurs passionate about pets, emphasizing an engaging community with high-quality products from women-owned businesses.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Taylor Hill transitioned from her childhood athletic pursuits like gymnastics, ballet, and snowboarding to modeling by leveraging the discipline, work ethic, and physical conditioning she developed in those sports. These activities helped shape her dedication, resilience, and pursuit of excellence, which proved beneficial in the competitive world of modeling. Taylor's background in various physical disciplines not only contributed to her physical fitness but also instilled in her the mental fortitude needed to navigate the demands of the modeling industry. This transition showcases how skills and lessons learned in one area of life can be applied and adapted to succeed in a seemingly unrelated field.
  • Taylor's emotional response to blowing out birthday candles at age three reflects her sensitivity and emotional depth from a young age. This moment is highlighted to showcase a defining trait of hers, emphasizing her early connection to her emotions and experiences. It symbolizes a significant memory that hints at her introspective nature and sets the stage for her journey of pursuing excellence while navigating imperfections.
  • In the modeling industry, strict body standards often require models to maintain specific measurements and appearances to fit sample sizes and designer preferences. This can lead to pressure on models to adhere to strict diets, exercise regimens, and beauty standards to meet industry expectations. Models may face challenges balancing their physical well-being with the demands of maintaining a certain look for various fashion shows and campaigns. The industry's emphasis on physical appearance can impact models' mental and emotional health, leading to issues like body image concerns and eating disorders.
  • Taylor Hill experienced deep emotional pain after losing her dog Tate, whom she considered a soulmate. Tate provided her with unwavering emotional support, especially during difficult times like a previous miscarriage. Taylor's grief over Tate's loss highlights the profound bond and companionship she shared with her beloved pet. This experience inspired her to create a pet brand, Tate and Taylor, as a way to honor Tate's memory and help others navigate the complexities of pet ownership and loss.
  • Taylor created Tate and Taylor, a pet brand, inspired by her experiences caring for her dog Tate during his illness. The brand provides resources, community connections, and supports causes like the Buddy Fund, which helps subsidize pet cancer treatments. Tate and Taylor aim to empower pet owners to navigate the complexities of pet ownership and loss while honoring Tate's memory. The brand spotlights entrepreneurs passionate about pets, fosters an engaging community, and offers high-quality products from women-owned businesses.
  • The Buddy Fund is a charitable organization that provides financial assistance to pet owners for cancer treatments for their pets. It helps alleviate the financial burden of expensive veterinary care, particularly for cancer-related procedures. This fund aims to ensure that pets receive necessary medical treatment despite the high costs involved. Taylor Hill's involvement with the Buddy Fund reflects her commitment to supporting pet owners facing challenges with their pets' health.

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Taylor Hill: How to Navigate Emotional Challenges & Ways to Practice Gratitude in Lifes’ Unexpected Hard Times

Taylor's early life and formative experiences

Taylor's childhood in Chicago played a pivotal role in developing her character traits and work ethic, which would greatly influence her future modeling career.

Taylor enjoyed a childhood filled with sports and athletics, including gymnastics, ballet, and snowboarding, which helped instill a strong work ethic and drive that carried into her modeling career.

Although she did not excel at gymnastics, Taylor's passion for the sport began at age nine, alongside her ballet training starting at six, and eventually snowboarding. Despite not seeing herself as particularly skilled, especially in dance and gymnastics, she maintained a deep love for these activities. Her mother's support knew no bounds, understanding that while Taylor wouldn't be Olympic-bound, the joy and satisfaction she derived from gymnastics were immeasurable.

Taylor's earliest memory was of her third birthday party, where she became emotionally invested in blowing out her own birthday candles, showcasing her sensitivity from a young age.

Her sensitivity became apparent at a tender age. Taylor remembers her third birthday party, where the early demonstration of her sensitive side emerged as she became very emotional when a friend blew out her candles before she could. This sensitivity grew to become a defining feature of her personality.

Taylor's athletic purs ...

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Taylor's early life and formative experiences

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Taylor's childhood experiences in sports like gymnastics, ballet, and snowboarding instilled a strong work ethic and drive in her. These early activities taught her valuable lessons about striving for excellence and dealing with imperfection, which later influenced her mindset and approach towards her modeling career. The discipline, perseverance, and passion she developed through her athletic pursuits became foundational elements in her transition to the modeling industry.
  • Taylor's sensitivity at her third birthday party highlights her emotional depth and early display of empathy, showcasing a foundational aspect of her personality. This incident serves as an early indicator of her caring nature and emotional awareness, which would continue to shape her interactions and relationships as she grew older. It demonstrates how even at a young age, Taylor's emotional responses were significant and reflective of her character development. This sensitivity would later influence her approach to various aspects of her life, including her career in modeling.
  • Taylor's experience in gymnastics taught her the value of striving for excellenc ...

Counterarguments

  • While Taylor's participation in sports may have contributed to a strong work ethic, it's possible that other factors in her upbringing also played a significant role in shaping her character and professional drive.
  • The connection between athletic pursuits in childhood and success in a modeling career is not necessarily causal; many individuals succeed in modeling without a background in sports.
  • The idea that Taylor's mother's support was solely based on the joy sports brought may overlook other aspects of parental support that could have been equally or more important in her development.
  • Sensitivity is a complex trait and may not be fully represented by a single event from childhood, such as the incident with the birthday candles.
  • The lessons learned from gymnastics about striving for excellence and dealing with imperfection are valuable, but it's important to recognize that these lessons can also be learned through various other activities and life experiences.
  • The emphasis on continuous impro ...

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Taylor Hill: How to Navigate Emotional Challenges & Ways to Practice Gratitude in Lifes’ Unexpected Hard Times

Taylor's modeling career and the demands/challenges of that industry

Taylor Hill's ascent from a teenager dipping her toes in the fashion world to a stalwart on the catwalk illustrates the relentless demands and personal challenges inherent in the modeling industry.

Taylor faced unique challenges as she transitioned from teen to adult model, having to navigate expectations around her appearance and physique.

At just 14, Taylor was scouted which marked the beginning of a whirlwind adventure in modeling, juggling runways and textbooks. She was signed by IMG and showcased at top-tier fashion weeks in Paris and New York. Taylor's family, especially her mother, provided an essential support network, traveling with her and helping her to handle the rigorous requirements of her career. Despite their support, the difficulty of maintaining a personal life alongside her burgeoning career was considerable.

To dedicate herself fully to modeling, Taylor left high school and earned her GED. Although school wasn't her forte and modeling provided an exhilarating alternative, the decision to leave high school for a full-time career in an ephemeral industry like modeling was not without its risks or complexities.

Taylor was scouted as a model at age 14 and had to balance her burgeoning career with her education, ultimately opting to leave high school and obtain her GED.

Starting her career at 14, Taylor soon found having to balance her educational commitments. She describes a life that was anything but ordinary for a teenager: extensive travel, month-long stays in foreign countries like Australia and Italy, and navigating different time zones—all while trying to stay connected with school through homeschooling and online classes. Taylor's narrative is one of a child in an adult's world, navigating the challenges of an intensive career while developing her own identity.

Taylor's experiences as a young model, including booking the prestigious Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at age 18, were both exciting and daunting, as she had to quickly adapt to the industry's intense physical and emotional demands.

By 18, Taylor's modeling career had catapulted her onto the prestigious Victoria's Secret runway—an accolade that brought with it recognition and new pressures to conform to exacting standards of beauty and fitness. Initially, Taylor's natural physique aligned with the brand’s expectations, but as she matured, she had to intensify her workout and diet routines to maintain the brand's exclusive body standards. She speaks candidly about the emotional complexity of this time, emphasizing a healthy approach to her regime but also recognizing the potential negative impact that her fitness journey could have on society's perception of beauty.

Taylor ties her pr ...

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Taylor's modeling career and the demands/challenges of that industry

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While Taylor Hill's decision to leave high school for modeling was risky, it's important to note that traditional education is not the only path to success, and her choice allowed her to capitalize on a unique opportunity.
  • The support from Taylor's family is highlighted, but it's also worth considering that not all models have such a support system, which can make navigating the industry even more challenging.
  • The narrative emphasizes the challenges of balancing a modeling career with personal life, but some models may find ways to integrate the two successfully or may not view this balance as problematic.
  • The focus on the need to conform to industry standards of beauty and fitness could overshadow the fact that there is a growing movement within the fashion industry promoting body positivity and diversity.
  • Taylor's adoption of an athlete's mindset and tailored nutrition plans might be seen as a positive example of discipline and self-care, rather than just a response to industry pressure.
  • The text suggests that projecting an ideal beauty standard can be harmful, but it could also be argued that models like Taylor can use their platform to promote a range of beauty ideals and healthy lifestyles.
  • The emotional toll of the industry is mentioned, but it's also possible that some individuals thrive under the high-pressure environment of modeling and do not experience the same level of burnout.
  • While Taylor contemplates the unpredictability of ...

Actionables

  • Explore a new career path by shadowing professionals in the field to understand the realities and demands of the job. Reach out to local businesses or professionals in an industry you're interested in and ask if you can observe them for a day or a few hours each week. This will give you firsthand experience of the challenges and rewards, similar to how Taylor Hill learned about the modeling industry.
  • Develop a support network by starting a peer mentorship group in your community or workplace. Find like-minded individuals who are also looking to grow in their careers or personal lives and meet regularly to share experiences, advice, and encouragement. This mirrors the support Taylor received from her family, providing a foundation for resilience and success.
  • Reflect on your personal values and set boundaries ...

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Taylor Hill: How to Navigate Emotional Challenges & Ways to Practice Gratitude in Lifes’ Unexpected Hard Times

Taylor's experiences with grief, loss, and healing

Taylor shares her profound experiences of dealing with the grief coming from the loss of her beloved dog, Tate, and reflects on the journey toward healing from this personal tragedy.

The loss of Taylor's beloved dog, Tate, was a profound experience that significantly impacted her mental health and sparked her to create a purposeful business venture.

Taylor's close bond with Tate, whom she described as her "soulmate," provided her with unwavering emotional support and comfort during difficult)>> times, including a previous miscarriage.

Jay Shetty introduces Taylor Hill's experience of losing her dog Tate, whom she considered a "soulmate" and a massive source of support, particularly through other tough times, including a miscarriage. Tate's strong presence in Taylor's life included being there for her during periods of grief and offering comfort when Taylor faced challenging emotions. Taylor describes the loss of Tate as impacting her deeply, noting that Tate had been a consistent source of solace during her miscarriage.

Taylor shares the distress of learning about Tate's condition when he was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma. She was not in town when Tate was taken to the emergency room and ICU, making the experience even more harrowing. The loss of Tate was not only a private ordeal but also a public one as she received widespread support from other pet owners who shared their grief, making her feel connected and understood. However, she also touched on dismissiveness from some as they trivialized her grief since it was "just a dog." Taylor stresses the importance of allowing one to grieve fully for the loss of a pet and not letting others diminish that process.

Taylor likens the grieving process to navigating an ocean with varying intensities. Almost a year into her grief, she does not feel wholly healed, underlining that there is no set timeline for moving on but instead a continuous path toward healing. She describes the support received from her husband and friends after her miscarriage, appreciating their physical presence and understanding when she needed solitude. Taylor points out the complexity of her emotions during this period, experiencing relief, guilt, and anger.

Communication is key in navigating grief, especially within relationships, and Taylor discusses ho ...

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Taylor's experiences with grief, loss, and healing

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Counterarguments

...

Actionables

- Create a memory box to honor the bond with a lost pet, filling it with mementos like their collar, favorite toy, and photos, which can serve as a therapeutic way to process grief and celebrate the pet's life.

  • By physically assembling items that remind you of your pet, you create a dedicated space for remembrance and reflection. This can help you navigate the waves of grief at your own pace, acknowledging the significance of your pet in your life. For example, you might include a paw print, their leash, or even a written letter to your pet expressing your feelings and memories.
  • Start a daily emotion journal to track the complex feelings that arise during the grieving process, noting moments of relief, guilt, anger, or sadness without judgment.
  • Journaling can be a powerful tool for self-expression and healing. Each day, write down your emotions and the events that may have triggered them. This practice can help you identify patterns in your grieving process and provide a private outlet for emotions that might be difficult to communicate to others. For instance, you might realize that certain times of the day or specific locations trigger a sense of loss more acutely, and you can use this insight to manage your feelings more effectively.
  • Engage in a creative project like painting ...

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Taylor Hill: How to Navigate Emotional Challenges & Ways to Practice Gratitude in Lifes’ Unexpected Hard Times

How Taylor is channeling her experiences into building a purposeful business venture

Jay Shetty, Taylor Hill, and others provide insight on how Taylor has transformed her personal experiences, especially the loss of her dog, Tate, into an impactful and meaningful business venture called Tate and Taylor.

Taylor's experiences with Tate and the challenges she faced in caring for him during his illness inspired her to create Tate and Taylor, a pet-focused brand and community aimed at supporting others in similar situations.

Taylor Hill discusses how the challenges she faced while caring for her dog Tate during his illness have inspired her to create a pet-focused brand. She aims for Tate and Taylor to be a supportive community that connects pet owners and provides access to resources. Taylor speaks passionately about Tate teaching her responsibility and the care that goes into looking after a pet. This desire to nurture is reflected in the values she embeds in Tate and Taylor.

Taylor's goal with Tate and Taylor is to provide a platform for pet owners to access resources, connect with one one another, and contribute to causes that support animal welfare, such as the Buddy Fund, which helps subsidize the cost of cancer treatments for pets.

Hill discusses her business venture, Tate and Taylor, as being very personal, stemming from her love for her dog, Tate, and her experience with his illness. She has become passionate about supporting initiatives like the Buddy Fund to help pet owners afford cancer treatments, stressing the high costs even with insurance. Hill's vision is to create a community where pet owners can find help and guidance, building on her belief that dogs are connectors.

By infusing her brand with intention and a purpose, she wishes to honor Tate's memory and empower others to navigate the complexities of pet ownership, including the difficult experiences of illness and loss. Additionally, Hill plans to extend the brand’s involvement to areas like cancer research and rescue organizations. She mentions her rescue dog, Salem, teaching her and influencing her decision to make a change in th ...

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How Taylor is channeling her experiences into building a purposeful business venture

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While Taylor Hill's intentions with Tate and Taylor are commendable, it's important to consider the sustainability of the products offered. If the online store prioritizes women-owned businesses, it should also ensure that the products are environmentally sustainable and ethically sourced.
  • The focus on a community that connects pet owners is valuable, but it's crucial to ensure that the platform remains inclusive and accessible to all pet owners, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
  • Supporting causes like the Buddy Fund is a noble endeavor, but it's essential to maintain transparency about how much of the proceeds from Tate and Taylor actually go towards such initiatives.
  • While the brand aims to honor the memory of Taylor's dog Tate, it's important to balance personal storytelling with the broader needs and experiences of the pet owner community to avoid the brand becoming too niche or centered around one individual's experience.
  • Extending the brand's involvement to areas like cancer research and rescue organizations is a significant undertaking that requires expertise and careful planning to be effective and make a meaningful impact.
  • The emphasis on creating a fun, engaging community is positive, but it should not overshadow the need for providing accurate, vetted information and resources that can genuinely assist pet owners in caring for their pets, especially during illness or other challenges.
  • While the brand aims to build a purposeful enterprise, ...

Actionables

  • You can honor a beloved pet by starting a personal blog or social media account sharing your journey and the lessons learned from pet ownership. This could include stories of joy, challenges, and how your pet has impacted your life, which can resonate with and support other pet owners.
  • Create a small local group or online community for pet owners in your area to share resources, such as vet recommendations, pet-friendly places, and support for those with sick pets. Use platforms like Facebook or Nextdoor to facilitate these connections and provide mutual support.
  • If you're crafty, consider making h ...

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